Legendary funk sextet Lettuce is releasing a cover of Keni Burke’s “Rising to the Top,” along with an accompanying music video, out today on all platforms. The single comes in anticipation of Lettuce’s forthcoming LP, Cook, due December 3 via the band’s own Lettuce Records. Burke, the one-time Five Stairsteps member, released “Rising to the Top” in 1982, and Lettuce gives the R&B hit new life in their take on the track. The accompanying music video, shot and edited by keyboardist & vocalist Nigel Hall, takes viewers through a Lettuce studio session through intimate shots and retro filters. Lettuce’s take on “Rising to the Top” is a love letter to the 80s R&B influences that shaped the band’s sound.
Drummer Adam Deitch called “Rising to the Top” an “R&B soul classic - tune paid serious tribute by the incredible Nigel Hall on vocals and keys.” Hall added, “This was a song I heard as a kid. Through Hip-Hop, I learned the original, and per usual, was stuck on it like many tunes I checked out through Hip-Hop in my formative years. I always wanted to play it and am grateful to have turned that wish into reality.”
Lettuce's rendition of Burke's classic hit is a carefree, late-summer soundtrack imparting a message of positivity and self-assurance. "Believe in yourself profusely. Never listen to the doubts of others about your potential," adds bassist, Erick "Jesus" Coomes.
Cook isn't just a nod to Lettuce’s musical heat; it’s an invitation to join the band at the table, where funk, soul, jazz, rock, and hip-hop come together in one rich, flavorful dish. The album offers a menu of delights that marks a group exploring new sonic territory. On Cook, Lettuce has expanded its ever-widening musical palette again, following tours with both rap icon GZA of the Wu-Tang Clan and reggae legend Ziggy Marley. Earlier in the year, the band released the live album and concert film Lettuce with the Colorado Symphony. Still, there’s a generous dose of Lettuce’s patented funk, paying tribute to the great James Brown and his JB’s and honoring mentors like Tower of Power and Maceo Parker. For these six lifelong partners, the new songs feel like a nourishing meal that entices all of your senses.
“This record is a little more three-dimensional than our past albums,” says Deitch. “It shows a lot more sides to the band, exploring further depths of production and arrangements.”
The band has also recently announced the launch of Lettuce Red Crush and Orange Crush wine brands in collaboration with Aquila Cellars, along with a recipe book featuring pairings to be included with the vinyl album and available in digital form. The wine was brought to life by Bloom and Zoidis’ wine distribution company, Benny & Zoid Selections, which made it accessible to purchase nationwide online.
“Music and food are very related,” said Deitch. “Use the wrong ingredients in either and you can ruin the sound and the meal.”
With Cook, it appears Lettuce has the right recipe for success... both musically and organizationally.
“This is the best team we’ve ever had,” said Deitch of his current management. “We feel like the world is our oyster. Our concepts and ideas can really come to fruition now with our infrastructure. It’s beautiful to be in a headspace of feeling this fresh. It’s the start of a brand-new era for us.”
In anticipation of the release of Cook, Lettuce is set to perform around the world with dates starting tonight and continuing into 2026. The full schedule of shows, taking place across North America, Europe, Japan, and Australia, can be found below, including East Coast dates for 2026.
As part of the 2026 run, fans can also access the exclusive “Cookin’ with the Band” VIP experience, a pre-show hang designed for funk lovers and foodies alike. Available for all January and February shows, the package includes soundcheck viewing access; setlist voting power; early merch shopping + discount code; and limited-edition keepsakes like a custom ‘Cook’ apron, a printed recipe zine, and a signed tour laminate. Access is limited to 75 VIP spots per night and can be purchased at lettucefunk.com/tour.
